Length of Procedure

Kyphoplasty, is a minimally invasive stabalization procedure. Balloon Vertebroplasty is an outpatient procedure, performed at Executive Spine Surgery. The surgery only takes a couple hours, so after it is over, the patient can return home.

Related: Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)

Food and Drink

Patients should avoid these at least 6 hours before the Kyphoplasty:

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
• Avoid drinks, including juice, coffee, milk, and alcohol.
• Sipping water when taking medications is allowed.

Medications

Prior to your procedure, you should let the physician know what medications and herbal supplements you are on. This will help the doctor determine whether or not you should stop taking them. Stop anti-inflammatories, Aspirin, ibuprofen, Plavix, warfarin 1 week before surgery.  It is important to stop these medicines because they can cause excess bleeding during surgery.  Unfortunately, they are important to prevent heart attacks and strokes so please check with your primary care doctor or cardiologist before discontinuing these medicines.

Although most prescribed drugs can be taken as usual, blood-thinners, anti-inflammatories, and certain medications should be avoided:

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.)
• Aspirin
• Naproxen (Aleve)
• Lovenox (enoxaparin)
• Coumadin, Jantoven (warfarin)
• Plavix (clopidogrel)

What to Wear

• Wear loose and comfortable clothes.
• Remove nail polish, contacts, piercings, and jewelry.
• Don’t wear any perfumes, lotions, deodorants, or fragrances on the day of the Kyphoplasty.

Related: Kyphoplasty 101: What You Need to Know

What to Bring

• A driver: Since you will be receiving anesthesia, you must have someone who is able to take you home.